Let's Be Real - Mama Journeys - Episode 116 W/Susan May

As a mama of 4 and grandma of 8, Susan May has been in the "mothering business" for quite awhile. She was a substitute teacher for over 20 years and she is also a writer and has published many novels including harlequin novels and a nonfiction about her son and his heart transplant. Her author name is Susan Carlisle. Her oldest just turned 40 and they share a birthday! She has been married for 42 years after attending Auburn University. She had 4 (almost) under 4 and had a busy house but didn't think that through when it came to paying for college!  Empty nesting together wasn't hard on her because she was so excited to watch them fly! Her youngest son was born with a heart condition and needed surgery and possibly a transplant. He is one of the oldest people on record who is living with a heart transplant. Her biggest supporter during early motherhood was her mom, who stepped in with the other three while she spent a lot of time in the hospital with her youngest who needed the heart transplant. Her best mama moment is when the entire family is sitting at one big long table. NO kids table. EVERYONE at one table is her favorite part of being a mama and grandma. She wants mamas to know that things are survivable. Being proactive for your kids because there is no alternative. Fight for what you know they need. She wishes she would have known that being a mom is a lot of work! She did things in the "acceptable" order with school, marriage and kids but that doesn't work for everyone. She has learned how unbelievably strong you can love another human being. She also believes that everyone is going to get their season. Each kiddo will need you at different times. You can find Susan at susanCarlisle.com or susancmay.com.